Civil rights protect individuals from infringements by governments, organizations and others. They are essential for a functioning democracy and guarantee equal protection under the law regardless of race, creed, religion or other identifying characteristics.
Know your fundamental civil rights
Knowing your rights is vital in protecting and fighting for them. Civil rights protect against discrimination or unequal treatment in various aspects, such as housing, healthcare, employment, public accommodation, suffrage, religion, credit approval, education and government assistance.
You may have cause to file a civil rights complaint if you experience discrimination or unequal treatment based on your inclusion in any of the following protected classes:
- race
- gender
- age
- disability
- veteran status
- sexual orientation
- religion
- pregnancy
- genetic information
- nationality
Note that this list is not exhaustive. It may expand as legislators update the laws to include more protected classes.
What are your options?
If you think your rights were violated, you can:
- Resolve the matter informally through a negotiation.
- Submit a complaint to the government and file a claim.
- File a private lawsuit in a civil court.
Whatever action you choose, it is crucial to act quickly, as civil rights complaints are subject to statutes of limitations, which limit the time within which you can take legal action.
Some cases need a prior complaint to the government
If you think you experienced a civil rights violation, such as an illegal search and seizure, you must file a complaint with a government agency before pursuing a civil rights lawsuit. This prerequisite helps facilitate the resolution of disputes without resorting to the courts.